Lacing-stud.



N0. 704MB. Patented July 8, I902.

L. L. RUSSELL.

LACING STUD.

(Application filed Apr. 24, 1902.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON L. RUSSELL, OF GREENE, IOWA.

LAClNG-STUD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 704,1 18, dated July 8, 1902.

Application filed April 24, 1902.

To all whom it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, LEON L. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States,residingat Greene, in the county of Butler and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lacing-Studs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an improved lacing-stud designed more particularly for use on ladies shoes; and its novelty, utility, and advantages will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 comprises the front portions of a shoe-upper equipped with my improved studs, said studs being shown as they normally appear. Fig. 2 is a transverse section illustrating two of the studs as they appear when the lace in engagement therewith is drawn taut. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the studs removed.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings, referring to which- A A are the front portions of the upper of a ladys shoe, B a lace, and O O my improved lacing-studs. The studs are similar in construction, and therefore a detailed description of the one shown in Fig. 3 will suffice to impart an understanding of all. comprises a metallic eyelet D, which maybe fixed in or on a shoe-upper portion or other article to be laced in the ordinary or any other approved manner, and a hook E. The hook, which is formed of spring-steel or other material suitable to the purpose of the invention, is fixed at one end to or formed integral with the eyelet A, is shaped to form a curved loop a and bights b c in rear of and below said loop, and has its opposite end, which forms the terminal of the bight 0, free, as indicated by d. The side of the loop or adjacent to the bight b is of a reduced thickness, as is also the bight of said loop, this in order to increase the resiliency or springiness of the loop. By virtue of this increased springiness and the fact that the bight c and free end at are normally disposed in advance of the bight b it will be observed that when the lace is engaged with the bights b c after the manner shown in Fig. 2 and drawn taut the bight 0 will be drawn rear- Said stud O Serial No. 104,554. (No model.)

vented from catching into and tearing the lace with which ladies skirts are ordinarily trimmed; also the lace will be securely held against casual disengagement from the hook.

In practice my improved studs are applied to the upper portions A of a ladys shoe in the ordinary manner, as shown in Fig. 1, and when the shoe is to be laced the laceB is engaged with the hooks E and drawn taut, when the free ends of the hooks will be drawn into their complementary eyelets for the purpose stated. When thelace is untied or otherwise released and loosened, the free ends of the hooks will spring out of the eyelets and assume their normal positions, as will also the bights c, the latter slightly in advance of the bights b.

\Vhen the hooks of the studs are in their normal position, it will be observed that a lace may be engaged therewith very quickly and easily by simply passing it between their free ends and the eyelets.

IVhile designed more particularly for use on ladies shoes, I desire it distinctly understood that my improved stud may be used in other connections to which it is applicable with advantage without departing from the scope of my invention.

I have entered into a detailed description of the present and preferred embodiment of my invention in order to impart a full, clear, and exact understanding of the same. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself to the specific construction and relative arrangement of the parts as shown and described, as such changes or modifications may be made in practice as fairly fall within the scope of my claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Alacing-stud comprising an eyelet, and a spring-hook connected at one end to the eyelet and overhanging the same, whereby, when low the loop, and the movable bight 0 also disposed in rear of and below the loop, and normally in advance of the bight b.

3. A lacing-stud comprising an eyelet adapted for connection to a shoe-upper or other article to be laced, and a hook overhanging the eyelet; the said hook being formed of spring metal, and having one end fixed to the eyelet, and its other end free, and also having the loops a, a portion of which is of reduced thickness, the bight 12 disposed in rear of and below the loop, and the movable bight 0 also disposed in rear of and below the loop, and normally in advance of the loop I).

4. The combination of a shoe-upper or other article to be laced, a spring-hook connected at one end thereto, and means on the upper or other article to be laced, fixed with respect to the hook, and adapted when the hook is placed under tension to guard the free end thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEON L. RUSSELL. Witnesses:

M. HARTNET, L. M. RUSSELL. 

